Today I caught the bus to Bondi Beach and difficult to describe my feelings of excitement and anticipation as the bus followed the well remembered route. As we rounded the corner and there it was I was quite tearful - I lived in North Bondi for two years and this was my stamping ground and where I had so much fun. The old Bondi Pavilion is still there and though it has been tarted up a bit, it still has that slightly used and shabby feelinbg about it that I remember so well.
Parked myself on the beach and watched the waves come in and oh it all came back to me, the happy hours I had spent sitting here doing this when I was young and fancy free. Did not venture into the water. I always found the sea here very tricky to swim in and, in fact, the first day I ever spent on Bondi I was hit on the head by a surf board belonging to a surfer who had strayed outside his allotted zone, and under I went and had to be hauled out by a life guard. When I had recovered from the bump on my head and the fright, I was able to enjoy the invective hurled at the hapless surfer. Was not going to risk that happening again so stayed where I was.
After a couple of hours felt my English skin had probably had enough sun and left the beach and decided to see if I could find my old street where I used to live. Not really a good idea as it was baking hot and in the middle of the day but persevered and, yep there it was Blair Street (no comments on the name please...) and the little apartment block was still there. The first balcony was ours and many the night we sat outside with a litre or two of Australian Shiraz laughing and talking and generally having a good time. In the flat opposite were four Aussie policeman, strapping guys, and one night they threw a party. Three days later it finished and there was a follow up to this, but will save for another day.
So happy to see these places again. I have wanted to get back to Australia for so long and, while it can be dangerous to revisit old haunts, it has not disappointed.
